In-wall valve body for shower or bathtub

ABSTRACT

A valve body for a shower, a bathtub, or a shower-bathtub installations. The valve body includes nipples for direct connection to PEX water supply lines and the shower head outlet, a bathtub faucet tapered nipple which is a universal outlet with male NPT threads to which a copper line can either be threaded, soldered or a slip or friction fit with a hose retainer clip and hot and cold adjustable limiters and standoffs on the rear side for installation of the valve body to a backer board. The standoff lug spacer means provide for precise spacing of the plumbing connections within the wall with respect to the front surface of the wall board. The standoffs also provide clearance between the plumbing connections and the backer board. The valve body accepts various back to back functional type pressure balanced cartridges for control of water flow through the faucet.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/544,322 filed on Aug. 11, 2017 and is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of in wall water valves used for hot and cold water delivery to a shower head or bathtub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All homes, apartment complexes, gymnasiums and factories, any facilities with bathtubs or showers have plumbing fixtures for the delivery of hot, cold and warm water to users of these bathtubs and showers. Older installations have separate hot and cold water valves whereby the user selects the water temperature by balancing the two valves and thus, the two water flows together to attain the proper temperature of combined water flow. In the installations where a user may choose the fill a tub or take a shower, there must be a knob to pull or a valve to turn to select tub fill or shower flow.

In most installations today, a valve is used which has one single handle and this handle is used to select water temperature and amount of flow. The valve body in such a single handle valve includes inlet connections for a hot water supply line, a cold water supply line, and outlet connections for a bathtub faucet and for a shower head. The valve body accepts differing styles of control pressure balanced cartridges which are used to manually control the water temperature and flow through the valve and to send the water out through the shower head or the bathtub faucet. Some valve bodies also include adjustable flow limiters on the hot and cold supply inputs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An in-wall valve assembly for a combination shower and bathtub comprising or consisting of a valve body including a tapered nipple for a hot water line and a tapered nipple for a cold water line, and a tapered nipple for a shower output and a tapered output nipple for cooperative engagement with respective water lines. The valve body includes an adjustable flow limiter for a hot water input and a cold water input. The valve body also includes a first water controlling cartridge receiving aperture formed therein with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of sealing fixing a water controlling cartridge in place within the first aperture. The valve body includes spacer means defining a plurality of spaced apart opposing standoff lugs of a selected area and equal thickness on a rear surface for providing for proper positioning of the valve body with respect to a backer board installed between studs in a wall. The valve body includes a first pair of lugs having threaded apertures for holding a removable housing on the valve body, the removable housing meant to be discarded after installation of the valve body. The valve body has a second pair of lugs having apertures formed therein for insertion of fasteners for attaching the valve body to a backer board. Moreover, the valve body includes a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut for temporarily sealing of a valve output during temporary pressure testing of an installed water supply line to the valve body.

Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a valve body kit for a combination shower and bathtub comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of a valve body including tapered nipples for PEX type hot and cold supply lines, a tapered nipple for PEX type line for shower output and a tapered output nipple with Male NPT threads to which a one half inch copper line may be threaded or sweated thereto. The valve body kit includes adjustable flow limiters for hot and cold inputs, and has a first water controlling cartridge receiving aperture formed therein with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of sealing a water controlling cartridge in place within the first aperture. The valve body includes a plurality of spacer means such as standoffs on a rear side thereof for providing for proper positioning of the valve body with respect to a backer board installed between two internal studs in a bathroom wall. The valve body includes two first lugs having second threaded apertures therein for holding a temporary protective housing (plaster guard) on the valve body where the protective housing is meant to be discarded after the body is installed. The valve body has two second lugs with third apertures formed therein for insertion of fasteners for fixing the valve body to a backer board. The valve body includes a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut for temporarily sealing of valve outputs during temporary pressure testing of installed water supply lines to the valve body. Finally, the valve body includes a temporary protective housing covering a front side of the valve body and covering the cartridge locking nut and the removable pressure test plug.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes nipples for PEX type hot and cold supply lines, a nipple for PEX type line for shower output and an output with Male NPT threads to which a one half inch copper line may be threaded or sweated thereto.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes adjustable flow limiters for the hot and cold inputs.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel tapered nipples for connecting the water lines thereto eliminating the need for adapters.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes a cartridge receiving aperture with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of receiving a water controlling cartridge.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes a plurality of spacer means or standoffs on the rear side of the valve body to provide for proper positioning of the valve body with respect to a backer board installed between two internal studs in a bathroom wall.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes two lugs with threaded apertures for holding a temporary protective housing on the valve body which is meant to be discarded after the body is installed.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes two lugs with apertures for insertion of screws or other fasteners for fixing the valve body to a backer board.

It is an object of this invention to provide a valve body for a shower-bathtub combination which includes a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut and closes the valve outputs for temporary pressure testing of the installation of the water supply lines to the valve body.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the views wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the valve body;

FIG. 2 is an illustrated parts list of the valve body;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the valve body with PEX tubing connection nipples;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the valve body showing four standoffs on the rear side of the body;

FIG. 5 is a front view of an installation of hot and cold water supply lines and shower feed lines connected to a backer board;

FIG. 6 is a front view of an installation of the valve body;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of an installation of the valve body; and

FIG. 8 is a front view of a pressure balanced water control cartridge.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a valve body 10 for installation in a shower-bathtub combination. The 10 includes a valve body 12 with tapered PEX nipples or tapered copper or brass nipples 20, 22, and 23 including decreasing radius tips and/or an optional threaded nipple 25. The valve body 12, shown in FIG. 3, also includes apertures 36 and 37 with threads for receiving and holding female sockets or water flow limiters 28. The two water flow limiters include an adjustable screw 18, a locking nut 16, a stopper 32, a spring 33, and O-rings 35. A central control cartridge receiving aperture 34 has external threads and receives and holds a water flow cartridge (not shown and not included in the valve body) which is held in place by a cartridge locknut 26. The valve body also has a selected number of spacer means and/or alignment means comprising a plurality of lugs of a selected thickness and area, two with threaded apertures 43 and two without threads 41, for affixing the valve body to a baker board similar to one shown in FIG. 5, and for affixing a temporary protective housing 24. The housing 24 and lock nut protective sleeve cover 30 are removed after the valve body 12 is installed.

The installation shown in FIGS. 5-7 supports the valve body with brackets 52 connected to wall studs and to other bracket and tubing clamp assemblies 54 which is also connected to the valve body. A backer board 42 is shown in FIG. 5 for supporting the shower head and water supply lines 46, 48 and 50. To properly space the valve body 12 away from the backer board, the valve body 12 includes four spacer and/or alignment means of equal thickness comprising a plurality of standoffs 40 on the rear side of the valve body 12 as shown in FIG. 4. The body is installed with the standoffs 40 against the backer board for proper positioning and spacing of the body with respect to the baker board aiding in alignment of the assembly. Wood screws are inserted through the apertures 41 and screwed into the backer board to fix the valve body in place.

The valve body 10 includes a temporary plug or pipe line stopper 14. After the is installed and plumbed to the hot and cold water supply lines 46 and 50, water pressure may be applied to the lines for testing of the water supply line connections. After a successful test, the locking nut 26 may be removed and the test plug 14 may then be removed and discarded. A pressure balance control cartridge 60 may then be installed where the test plug had been located, when desired.

FIG. 8 shows a pressure balanced water control cartridge 60 with a control stem 62 to which a knob or lever is applied for manual control. Apertures 64 at the bottom have O-rings which seal the bottom of the cartridge to the bottom of the cartridge aperture 34. The cartridge 60 is turned clockwise or counter clockwise to expose the apertures 64 to the holes in the bottom of the cartridge aperture 34 to either seal off the holes to water flow or to open the holes to water flow. The cartridge locking nut 26 slides over the top of the cartridge 60, and encounters the rim 66, thereby pushing the cartridge firmly into the cartridge receiving aperture as the locking nut 26 is threaded onto the valve body.

The faucet installation requires proper orientation of the valve. The word “UP” formed on the valve body should be point towards the shower riser and the word “DOWN” on the valve body should be pointed toward the tub spout outlet. The valve assembly is inserted with plaster guard into a hole cut in a wall. The flat surface marked “IMPORTANT” on the plaster guard should be flush with the finished wall surface. A ½ inch or larger copper line is required for the flow from the valve to the tub spout to prevent back pressure that will cause leakage from the shower head when discharging water through the tub spout. The copper ring is inserted into the pipeline as shown in FIG. 11 and connected with the quick connector and tightened with pliers. The down outlet is connected with the pipeline using TEFLON tape. Note that if the shower head or spout is not needed the washer is used to plug the “DOWN” valve hole or “UP” valve hole. The valve body is screwed into the wall.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplification presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. An in-wall valve assembly for a combination shower and bathtub comprising: a valve body including a tapered nipple for a hot water line and a tapered nipple for a cold water line, a tapered nipple for a shower output and a tapered output nipple for cooperative engagement with respective water lines; said valve body including an adjustable flow limiter for a hot water input and a cold water input; said valve body including a first water controlling cartridge receiving aperture formed therein with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of sealably fixing a water controlling cartridge in place within said first aperture; said valve body including spacer means defining a plurality of spaced apart opposing standoff lugs of a selected area and equal thickness on a rear surface for providing for proper positioning of said valve body with respect to a backer board installed between studs in a wall; said valve body including a first pair of lugs having threaded apertures for holding a removable housing on said valve body, said removable housing meant to be discarded after installation of said valve body; said valve body including a second pair of lugs having apertures formed therein for insertion of fasteners for attaching said valve body to a backer board; and said valve body including a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut for temporarily sealing of a valve output during temporary pressure testing of an installed water supply line to said valve body.
 2. An in-wall valve assembly for a combination shower and bathtub consisting of: a valve body including a tapered nipple for a hot water line and a tapered nipple for a cold water line, a tapered nipple for a shower output and a tapered output nipple for cooperative engagement with a water line; said valve body including an adjustable flow limiter for a hot water input and a cold water input; said valve body including a first water controlling cartridge receiving aperture formed therein with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of sealably fixing a water controlling cartridge in place within said first aperture; said valve body including spacer means defining a plurality of spaced apart opposing standoff lugs of a selected area and equal thickness on a rear surface for providing for proper positioning of said valve body with respect to a backer board installed between studs in a wall; said valve body including a first pair of lugs having threaded apertures for holding a removable housing on said valve body, said removable housing meant to be discarded after installation of said valve body; said valve body including a second pair of lugs having apertures formed therein for insertion of fasteners for attaching said valve body to a backer board; and said valve body including a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut for temporarily sealing of a valve output during temporary pressure testing of an installed water supply line to said valve body.
 3. An in-wall valve assembly for a combination shower and bathtub consisting of: a valve body including a tapered nipple for direct connection to a PEX hot water line and a threaded nipple for a cold water line, a threaded nipple for a shower output and a threaded output nipple for threadably engaging a water line; a bathtub faucet tapered nipple universal outlet with male NPT threads for connecting a copper line thereto by threading, soldering, or slip or friction fitting with a hose retainer clip; said valve body including an adjustable flow limiter for a hot water input and a cold water input; said valve body including a first water controlling cartridge receiving aperture formed therein with external threads and a cartridge locknut capable of sealably fixing a water controlling cartridge in place within said first aperture; said valve body including spacer means defining a plurality of spaced apart opposing standoff lugs of a selected area and equal thickness on a rear surface for providing for proper positioning of said valve body with respect to a backer board installed between studs in a wall; said valve body including a first pair of lugs having threaded apertures for holding a removable housing on said valve body, said removable housing meant to be discarded after installation of said valve body; said valve body including a second pair of lugs having apertures formed therein for insertion of fasteners for attaching said valve body to a backer board; and said valve body including a temporary, removable pressure test plug which is held in place by a cartridge locknut for temporarily sealing of a valve output during temporary pressure testing of an installed water supply line to said valve body. 